PM Modi's Photo Removed From Covid Vaccine Certificates - Explained

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has decided to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo from COVID-19 vaccination certificates. Previously, these certificates featured a picture of PM Modi with the caption, ‘Together, India will defeat COVID-19.’ However, the recent certificates now display only the quote attributed to the Prime Minister, without his photo.

This change was highlighted by a social media user named Sandeep Manudhane, who noticed the absence of PM Modi's photo on the Covid vaccine certificates and shared it on social media. The removal of the photo is attributed to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) enforced by the Election Commission of India during the ongoing Lok Sabha 2024 elections.

This is not the first time photo removal of PM Modi's COVID-19 vaccination certificates has happened. In 2022, the ECI directed the removal of the Prime Minister's photo from certificates issued in poll-bound states like Punjab, Manipur, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Some social media users speculated that the recent removal of PM Modi's photo might be related to concerns surrounding Covishield, a COVID-19 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) under licence from AstraZeneca. However, it has been clarified that the change was made in accordance with the Model Code of Conduct.

Netizens reacted to the news on social media platforms. While some users expressed amusement at the absence of PM Modi's photo, others pointed out that it was a temporary measure due to the Model Code of Conduct and would likely be reinstated after the elections. Some users also shared past instances where PM Modi's photo was removed from vaccination certificates issued for international travel due to confusion at immigration checkpoints.